Body of missing Vero Beach nurse found in Melbourne | Map

VERO BEACH -- The chief suspect in the death of his former girlfriend, Diana Duve, remained behind bars at the St. Lucie County Jail late Monday afternoon.

Michael Jones, 31, of 42nd Square Vero Beach, was arrested early Monday morning for violation of probation for aggravated stalking and aggravated stalking with a firearm. No charges have been filed against Jones in connection with Duve. The charges were from a 2012 conviction in Broward County.

Duve was last seen about 1:15 a.m. Friday as she and Jones left the What-A-Tavern at 58 Royal Palm Pointe in Vero Beach.

Concerned that they hadn't heard from their daughter since a text at 1:45 a.m. Friday said she wouldn't be home, Duve's parents contacted police.

Police found Duve's car in a shopping center parking lot early Monday morning off Babcock Street south of Melbourne. A body they believe to be Duve was in the trunk. The Brevard County medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

A few hours later, Jones was located at the Hampton Inn, in the 1900 block of Reynolds Road, west of Fort Pierce. The location of both Jones and Duve's car were determined by cellphone pings from Jones' phone, according to Vero Beach Police.

According to his arrest affidavit, Jones was described as a "violent felony offender of special concern." He was arrested on suspicion of leaving Indian River County without authorization.

When police knocked on the door of the hotel room, he invited them into the hotel room, said Currey. The investigation is continuing and police said they can't say yet if charges will be filed.

While at the restaurant, "They appeared normal," said police spokesman Officer John Morrison Sunday. "They were together" in what had been an off-and-on relationship.

Duve is a nurse at Sebastian River Medical Center; she didn't show for work at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Duve lived with her parents, who called police on Friday, saying she didn't come home. From what police learned, she has never gone off like this before. Police issued an alert on Sunday.